Office of Public Affairs

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Fact Sheet
February 13, 2017

ICE Fugitive Enforcement Operations

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
conducts targeted fugitive operations on a regular basis, both nationwide and locally in 24 field
offices across the U.S. These enforcement operations, which are often referred to as Operation Cross
Check, target public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, and
individuals who have violated our nations immigration laws, including those who re-entered the
country after being deported and immigration fugitives ordered deported by federal immigration
judges.

Targeted enforcement operations are an integral part of EROs civil immigration enforcement
strategy and serve to enhance the daily work conducted by ICE deportation officers to arrest criminal
aliens and other individuals who are in violation of our nations immigration laws.

National Fugitive Enforcement Operations

Since 2011, ICE ERO has conducted several national targeted fugitive operation enforcement
efforts. These operations include:

February 2017 Fugitive enforcement operations began Monday, Feb. 6 in the Los Angeles,
Atlanta, Chicago, New York and San Antonio areas of responsibility, which resulted in more
than 680 arrests of convicted criminal aliens and other immigration enforcement priorities;
March 2015 National Cross Check operation that resulted in 2,059 arrests nationwide;
August 2013 National fugitive enforcement operation resulting in 1,660 arrests including
1,517 convicted criminals;
April 2012 National Cross Check operation that resulted in more than 3,100 arrests;
September 2011 National Cross Check operation resulting in the arrest of more than 2,900
convicted criminal aliens;
June 2011 National Cross Check operation that resulted in more than 2,400 arrests across
all 50 states.

Local Fugitive Enforcement Operations

Each of EROs 24 field offices also conducts local fugitive enforcement operations throughout each
year. Examples of local operations include:
January 2017 Fugitive enforcement operation in Milwaukee resulting in the arrest of 16
convicted criminal aliens;
December 2016 Two-state fugitive enforcement operation in Michigan and Ohio resulting
in 74 arrests;
July 2016 Los Angeles-area enforcement operation resulting in over 100 criminal arrests;

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 October 2015 Fugitive enforcement operation in Central Pennsylvania area resulting in the
arrest of 12 criminal aliens;
June 2014 Month-long fugitive enforcement operation in the Chicago area of
responsibility, which covers six mid-western states, resulted in 297 arrests;
February 2012 Fugitive enforcement action spanning two days in the Milwaukee area
resulting in 20 convicted criminal alien arrests;
May 2012 Three-day fugitive enforcement operation in Georgia and the Carolinas that
resulted in the arrest of 80 criminal aliens;

Key Facts:
In national operations, the National Fugitive Operations Program and EROs National
Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center work closely with the field to develop and vet lists
of potential targets and closely monitor progress through statistical reporting. During local
fugitive operations, individual field offices generate their own target lists and manage
reporting requirements.
Some of the individuals arrested during enforcement operations may face criminal
prosecution by U.S. Attorney Offices for illegal entry or illegal re-entry after deportation.
Those not being criminally prosecuted will be processed for removal from the United States.
Those who have outstanding orders of deportation, or who returned to the United States
illegally after being deported, are subject to removal from the country.
Reports of ICE checkpoints and sweeps are false, dangerous and irresponsible. These reports
create panic and put communities and law enforcement personnel in unnecessary danger.
Any groups falsely reporting such activities are doing a disservice to those they claim to
support.
During targeted enforcement operations ICE officers frequently encounter additional
suspects who may be in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws. Those
persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE.
# ICE #

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.
For more information, visit: www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

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